July 26, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, July 26, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Colonel Mike Hagar and U.S. Attorney Jonathon Ross briefed the media on the latest developments related to a 4-hour standoff that occurred on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in DeValls Bluff, which resulted in the death of fugitive suspect Darrell Lawayne Esau II, 32, of Little Rock. (View briefing HERE.)

The U.S. Marshals Service had been searching for Esau for over a year and a half.  Esau was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Little Rock, Sherwood and Pulaski County, and was being sought as an absconder by the Arkansas Division of Community Correction (ACC). Active warrants included multiple counts of First-Degree Battery, multiple counts of Terrorist Act, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Aggravated Residential Burglary, and Domestic Battery. Esau had previously been convicted of homicide charges.

Agents from ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined Esau’s whereabouts on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, which includes ASP personnel, went with additional Troopers to the DeValls Bluff address in an attempt to take Esau into custody around 9 a.m. Thursday. The suspect opened fire on the team when they arrived.

ASP’s SWAT, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical/Air Support and Drone teams were activated.  ASP personnel contacted Esau by phone and attempted to negotiate his surrender for over two and a half hours. Esau died after an exchange of gunfire with members of the ASP SWAT team.

Investigators have determined that Esau fired at least 169 rounds from six different weapons, which included fully automatic and high-powered rifles, commonly referred to as “assault weapons.” More than 400 rounds were exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement. ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division will lead the investigation, the FBI will assist with evidence recovery and the ATF will process the weapons for further analysis. 

“This is just one more example of local, state, and federal partners working together for the overall mission of keeping the citizens of Arkansas safe,” said ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar. “I would like to take this opportunity to remind our citizens that we are YOUR Arkansas State Police. We want you to know that law enforcement operations are conducted daily in the most rural parts of Arkansas, including a town like DeValls Bluff, which has a population of 500. We thank God no innocent civilians or law enforcement officers were injured due to the collective resources applied. Our sole mission is and always will be public safety. We are committed to keeping our citizens safe and will always put your safety above our own.”

U.S. Marshal Cory Harris; Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Sanders (both for the Eastern District of Arkansas); and Supervisory Special Agent Clayton Merrill from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives participated in the briefing. Other assisting agencies included Hazen Police Department, Prairie County Sheriff’s Office, Des Arc Police Department and ACC.